It should also be noted that tests by Oxford University also show that the same vaccine can be 90% effective if administered at a half dose and then at a full dose.

News of the Oxford vaccine comes just a week after two US developers — Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna announced that their vaccines were almost 95% effective in preventing the deadly COVID-19 virus now sweeping the world.

The BVI Governor’s Office has confirmed that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that more than 350 million doses of vaccines have been ordered by the UK — “more than enough for everyone in the UK, the Crown Dependencies and the Overseas Territories.”

According to the BBC, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said this is “incredibly exciting news” and that while there were still safety checks to come, “these are fantastic results”.

Oxford said its vaccine was administered to more than 24,000 volunteers from clinical trials in the UK, Brazil and South Africa.

It said there were no hospitalised or severe cases in anyone who received the vaccine.

Recently, the UK Minister for Overseas Territories Baroness Elizabeth Sugg wrote to all the leaders of the OTs to confirm that they will receive vaccines once they become available.

In response, Premier Andrew Fahie thanked the UK for its support and requested information that will allow the BVI to adequately prepare a proper storage facility for the vaccine, ahead of its arrival.

He also informed the UK government that he anticipates that not all persons in the territory will be willing to accept the vaccine because of religious and other beliefs.